Antoine Dominique Domino Jr., professionally known as Fats Domino, was a renowned American pianist and singer-songwriter, whose remarkable career spanned over five decades. Born on February 26, 1928, in New Orleans, Louisiana, to a French Creole family, Domino's musical talents were evident from an early age.
In 1949, Domino signed with Imperial Records, marking the beginning of his illustrious music career. His debut single, "The Fat Man," released in 1949, is often credited by music historians as the first rock and roll single, and the first to surpass the 1 million sales milestone.
Domino's subsequent collaborations with co-writer Dave Bartholomew resulted in the creation of numerous hits, including "Lawdy Miss Clawdy" (1952),featuring his signature rolling piano style. This style would become a hallmark of his music, and he continued to dominate the music charts with a string of mainstream hits, starting with "Ain't That a Shame" in 1955.
Between 1955 and 1960, Domino enjoyed an impressive eleven Top 10 US pop hits, solidifying his position as a rock and roll pioneer. By 1955, five of his records had achieved sales of over 1 million copies, earning gold certification.
